I had a wonderful reunion with a longtime friend in Arcadia. Caught the metro home to Western & Hollywood and was feeling good so didn't want to go home as of yet. I live just up the street for over 24yrs and heard about Honey's, had been meaning to check it out, but usually don't stay out late. I approached the door and asked the door boy if it was open, (because it was only 9:30pm) he said "what are you looking for?' I replied, "a bar." He asked for ID and I jokingly said, "I'm old enough to be your father. If that's true will you buy me a drink?" He replied jokingly, "I'm not allowed to do so." I showed my ID and sure enough I was old enough. I then said to the bouncer. " I bet I'm old enough to be your father." He replied , " I doubt it." I then entered and went to the bar asking this nice bartender, what do you have with Vodka? All of a sudden, there's the bouncer right next to me saying, " I need to do a bag check." I said, you were right there next to me at the door." All the time having my bag open for his inspection. Another bartender, a young girl said, "no, no way." I thought she was taking about the bouncer, but she was talking about me! "You have to leave." I was gobsmacked as the bouncer escorted me out. "What did I do?" I asked incredulously. " You obviously didn't hear me, and you replied with an elevated voice." I said, "is that a crime?" "Have a nice evening," he replied and made me leave.
I am a queer senior. I have fought my entire life on the front lines protesting for AIDS rights, civil rights, women's rights. I was the photographer for the first Queer Nation invite event in Los Angeles. I worked for the Advocate as a photographer documenting ALL the civil rights protest for ALL GLBTQ rights , the beginnings of ACTUP, and was on the front line for gay marriage. I was at the first event for gay right in 1978 at the Hollywood Bowl when we organized against the hate from Anita Bryant. (Look her up.)
In 2024, I was denied entry into a queer bar for having "an elevated voice." if this is the future of queer community, fragile, territorial and not having any sense as to who is an ally or predator, you are doomed. You can have your sterile, safe place. I fought for you kids, only to be denied by youse. Rick Castro-
